The Work of Kings: The New Buddhism in Sri Lanka FROM THE PUBLISHER
The Work of Kings is a stunning new look at the turbulent modern history and sociology of the Sri Lankan Buddhist Monkhood and its effects upon contemporary society. Using never-before translated Sinhalese documents and extensive interviews with monks, Sri Lankan anthropologist H. L. Seneviratne unravels the inner workings of this New Buddhism anti the ideology on which it is based.
Beginning with Anagarika Dharmapala's "rationalization" of Buddhism in the early twentieth century, which called for monks to take on a more activist role in the community Seneviratne shows how the monks have gradually revised their role to include involvement in political and economic spheres. The altruistic, morally pure monks of Dharmapala's dreams have become, Seneviratne trenchantly argues, self-centered and arrogant, concealing self-aggrandizement behind a facade of "social service."
A compelling call for reform and a forceful analysis, The Work of Kings is essential to anthropologists, historians of religion, and those interested in colonialism, nationalism, and postcolonial politics.
SYNOPSIS
Seneviratne (anthropology, U. of Virginia) traces the history of Sri Lankan Buddhism and its self-conscious modernization since the 19th century as a socially-engaged religion, critiquing the corruption of the original ideal by ethnic nationalism and other forms of politicization. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
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